With the passing of 1971, our Regular Gunners have entered into their second century of service. Much has been written during the past year about this centennial and I do not want to unduly belabour the event particularly as the Regiment as a whole celebrated its centennial some 16 years earlier. 100 years after the Militia Act authorized a small Voluntary active Militia and several of our batteries of that day became a part of this force. It was in fact from these Militia Batteries that the majority of the personnel were found to get “A” and “B” Batteries “on the road”. I do, however, want to congratulate all those who organized and participated in the various centennial parties during the year. 1 RCHA, in which “A” and “B” Batteries serve, put on an outstanding family programme. The regimental dismounted and mounted parades were of the expected high order and the fun and games which followed were obviously enjoyed by the whole regimental family. A particular feature of 5e RALC’s celebration was most appropriate – the 100 gun salute fired on “B” Battery’s birth place was carried out from its original gun practice position on Cap Diamant on the Plains of Abraham, the first round being from a 24 pdr of 1871 vintage. And in Ottawa, on Dominion Day, 2 RCHA, 30 Fd Regt and The RCA Band took part in the Centennial Programme of the Canadian Armed Forces in which Regular components of all “environments” recognized that this was also their centennial. The final days of 1971 produced another important event in the life of our Regiment when Volume II of our history, The Gunners of Canada, came off the press. Now, along with the earlier Volume I, published in 1967, we at last have a comprehensive Regimental record from which our early colonial days through the years to recent times. To the host of Canadians who have served our Regiment over past years, The Gunners of Canada will recall events and places and comrades of lasting memory. The story will be read and read again with a justifiable feeling of pride that they were a part of this stalwart band of citizenry which served Canada’s guns. To our serving Gunners, Regular and Militia, our Regimental History will enable them to learn of the ways and means whereby their predecessors combined to mold the Regiment into a highly competent military body capable of meeting all challenges both in peace and in war. If today’s Gunners and those of the future take full advantage of the experience and example set out so well in this historical work, they will find encouragement and guidance in finding solutions to Gunner problems of their times. May I again thank the Editors and staff of The Canadian Gunner for their hard work in publishing this ‘Voice of the Regiment’. It is a most valuable contribution to the life of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.The Canadian Gunner 1971, Volume 7, December 1971